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Typhoon Haiyan: Manila response team reaches out to families

Friday, November 22 - 2013

Our 24 hour emergency contact centre and incident room has
continued to work around the clock to relay vital information
between our crew in Manila and their loved ones in the wake of
Super Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda).

The V.Ships team in the Philippines have responded magnificently
to this latest challenge and continue to work tirelessly to contact
the families of our seafarers and support the on-going local relief
efforts by helping to distribute crucial supplies. With the contact
centre running 24 hours day, team members also travelled out to
visit the homes of 60 of our seafarer's families in order to
confirm their safety.

We are still in the process of assessing the losses incurred by
our seafarers and their families but we already know the damage is
extensive.

Approximately 3000 of our serving seafarers are from the storm
hit region with many more of our colleagues currently at home on
leave. While the majority of our stories were positive and many
family members were found to be uninjured some of our crew members
are facing devastating losses. A number of our seafarer's homes
suffered severe damage to their roofs and others have been
completely destroyed.

As the world watches the aftermath of the super storm unfold
through the media it is not known how long recovery will take.
Official reports indicate that millions of people have been
affected, including many left without water, food or shelter.
Thousands are still missing.

In these circumstances information is an important part of
aid.

The management group of V.Ships, Pacific Ocean Manning Inc.
(POMI), North Sea Marine Services Corporation (NSMSC), and Kestrel
Shipping Inc. is continuing to reach out to those affected by the
disaster.